Tithing…Is it a command?

[good samaritan]

I teach it because I have personal convictions regarding tithing. Just the fact of how many times the word tithe, tithes, or tithing is mentioned in scripture should have some importance to why God commanded it in the law. I know they did it from the land, I know they gave it to the Levites, and I know that it is an OT law, but whether or not anyone thinks it is necessary, it has helped promote the gospel. So I can't imagine it being heresy.

I would never condemn people for not paying tithes, but if you don't give to the work of God you have a problem. I didn't say tithe, I said give. Its personal with me as it should be with anyone else. I just show where God commanded in OT scriptures to do a tithe of their land and although there isn't a law saying we must give a tithe of our finances I do it freewill.

The Bible doesn't set a specific amount to pray everyday, but is it o.k. for a man to teach people to try and commit 30min a day in prayer.

The Bible doesn't set a amount to fast, but would be alright to teach people it would be beneficial for them to fast a day a week.

The Bible doesn't tell us how much to read our bibles, but is it o.k. to teach that it would be good to read 3 chapters a day.

I can't say someone is going to hell for anything other than not being born again, but if people want to be fruitful in the things of God they are going to have give in every facet of life. If we try to make the Bible say things it doesn't we are wrong, but if we are open and honest with scriptures and give people good applications to use in their day to day lives we are just being wise.

[good samaritan]

Originally Posted by Jason Badejo

Brother if you don't mind me asking, are you financially supported by a church either F/T or P/T?

I'm just wondering. I work a full time job. I'm not against a minister being paid but I believe that those who benefit from the "tithe" have a real difficult time bringing themselves to admit its not required or expected of the church. Typically they believe it is a divine command and when they realize they are wrong they privately soften their stance (and even publicly to a degree) but they still never come right out and say "you don't gave to tithe". They always want to hang onto tithing in one form or another because if the giving decreases so does their income. This seems like the way you are approaching this issue. I'm not saying this is your situation. I'm not trying to stereotype you. I simply don't know but I do know that has been the case for others.

I'll be honest that I receive from the church where I pastor. The very small amount I receive from the church goes right back in. I work also on the side and tithe back into the church and it isn't about the money. I have been full time ministry for probably the past 6 or 7 years of my life and what I mean is that I have put in full time, but did it volunteerly like every one else in the church.

I have been pastoring for one year now and in that year I have spent two wed. nights talking about giving and used the tithe for example. Those are the only times I have even talked about it, but yet many their tithe. I would never go to them and say you know that really is ignorant want you stop. If I did I feel like I would be wrong by God and not to mention destroy church operations.

Also I have taught about Abraham's willingness to offer Isaac. We must be willing to lay the most important things in our lives on the alter. I don't teach it literally, but it does have some spiritual application.

[good samaritan]

Many non-tithers accuse tithers of being legalistic, but in all honesty it is non-tithers who are legalists. Because the Bible doesn't command it they feel it is uneccessary. If we allow God to really lead us "without looking at the numbers" we would give far more than 10%

[good samaritan]

Originally Posted by Jason Badejo

On what basis are you teaching it at all? If you admit its not commanded, then you overstep your authority to teach it in any manner.

Should we just teach and let the people decide? Considering the flip flop the American church has done on the issue of homosexuality I'm not so sure that's a wise philosophy.

Were the ones who are called to rightly divide the Word, to be stewards of the Word, and to faithfully and accurately proclaim His Word. It is our responsibility as ministers to feed the flock of God, we can't just let them decide* what is and isn't a command of God. We need to dig into the Word so that we preach the commands of God (not men) and then if we accurately do that the only decision the people have to make is to obey of not. Make it plain pastor.

e.

*= in making this statement I'm not saying the saints don't have a responsibility to be good Bereans and study the Word themselves nor am I saying they don't have a responsibility to test ALL things and hold onto what is good. My point here is that while each person is ultimately responsible for what they believe and why, we ministers have a biblical charge to accurately handle the Word of truth. We can't just teach what works for us and let the people decide. We must proclaim truth, nothing more, nothing less.

First of all homosexuality is an abomination to God and that is not debatable.

Second the tithe gives an application to the commandment of giving. I haven't ever met someone who couldn't give a tithe. You may argue I won't have enough left over to pay everything, but if you have ten dollars until its all gone you can its a choice.

1Cor.7:6 But I speak this by permission, and not of commandment. 7 For I would that all men were even as I myself

Thirdly Paul recommended people not to marry although that wasn't a scriptural command, because he seen how people could be more free to do the work of God.

You may be a new testament giver and don't need to think about a tithe, but there are people who think they can give 1 dollar a week to the work of God and spend on everything that makes them happy. There are non-tithers who are sending the message that God doesn't care how much we give and that definitely isn't true.

I am sure there is a happy medium here were you are not laying a set number on people, but you do want people to know God does care how much you give in perportion to how you have prospered.

[UnTraditional]

I finally took time to catch up with the posts again. I have to say that what I have read from the anti-tithers is very telling. I see problems with rebellion, a desire to be in control over every aspect of their lives, and a true hatred for leadership. Oh, you may say that you do none of these things, but the spirit behind your posts tell a very different story.

For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as idolatry and teraphim (household good luck images). Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, He also has rejected you from being king. (1 Samuel 15:23 AMP)

Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith. (Hebrews 13:7 ESV)

I think it is a sad situation that so many are so against tithing. You say it is not necessary and not mandatory. I say that any thing you put before God in any way or form is idolatry. We have no problem with God having some control of our lives, but not our money. No, that green piece of paper, that check, is our hard work and that is not going to go to the Lord. What a sad spiritual state, that believers would not put God first in their finances?! I can only ask the Lord Jesus that He would work a grace of true repentance and faith in your heart, that you would see your idolatry.

[Sean]

Oh brother...that was deep. Brother UT, please get your head in the debate..OK?

[shag]

Originally Posted by good samaritan

Many non-tithers accuse tithers of being legalistic, but in all honesty it is non-tithers who are legalists. Because the Bible doesn't command it they feel it is uneccessary. If we allow God to really lead us "without looking at the numbers" we would give far more than 10%

Originally Posted by good samaritan

First of all homosexuality is an abomination to God and that is not debatable.

Second the tithe gives an application to the commandment of giving. I haven't ever met someone who couldn't give a tithe. You may argue I won't have enough left over to pay everything, but if you have ten dollars until its all gone you can its a choice.

1Cor.7:6 But I speak this by permission, and not of commandment. 7 For I would that all men were even as I myself

Thirdly Paul recommended people not to marry although that wasn't a scriptural command, because he seen how people could be more free to do the work of God.

You may be a new testament giver and don't need to think about a tithe, but there are people who think they can give 1 dollar a week to the work of God and spend on everything that makes them happy. There are non-tithers who are sending the message that God doesn't care how much we give and that definitely isn't true.

I am sure there is a happy medium here were you are not laying a set number on people, but you do want people to know God does care how much you give in perportion to how you have prospered.

Where I attend, UPC, there is a big push to pay off the church bldg debt free in a yr(this yr)set-up with quarterly drives to do so, involving 'bringing the best' of your 'stuff', lump sum quarterly pledge, and some other kind of drive. 'We' (the local church running about 350)owns a shopping center, and 4 houses, mostly paid off I believe. Tithing is preached as a biblical requirement. With all that said, I have had to bail out multiple people from financial struggles but they believe they must tithe.(I've never told them differently) Losing homes, vehicles, needing groceries...people that work hard(both parents) and do not live a life buying unneeded toys, vehicles etc, but just trying to survive.
The people that I'm familiar with that do not tithes, are very generous givers. I think it very unwise to lump all the tithers or non tithers in a category of stinginess, because there are 'hairs in the buscuits' on both sides in places everywhere. We need to stick with bible and what it proclaims.

If folks understand that we are to GIVE not out of necessity, but FREELY GIVE to those in need and the necessities to further the gospel, whether in time, monetary, money or whatever, like the nt scripture mentions, then there is no reason to push a church tax on everybody to pay for things they have no control over because the man a God decideds that(fire away bro Price ). There's no reason GIVING from the heart, with a heart for God, won't fullfilled Kingdom advancement.

[Sean]

I finally took time to catch up with the posts again. I have to say that what I have read from the anti-tithers is very telling. I see problems with rebellion, a desire to be in control over every aspect of their lives, and a true hatred for leadership. Oh, you may say that you do none of these things, but the spirit behind your posts tell a very different story. QUOTE UnTraditional



The reality is the "leadership" hates the non-tither. They actually send us to hell in their speech. If you dont think that is hatred, you dont know what hate is. Can you just imagine someone wanting you to burn in a superheated fire pit that is pitch black, feeling horrendous pain and fear. They , without ANY N.T. scriptural backing, send us to hell like the Popes of the dark ages. They want to make us pay dearly for not coughing up or tenth(plus offering) to their agenda.

I sat on a couch with a pastor, discussing this subject ever so gently with him, when he saw that I carefully corrected him about Heb. 7:5, he said to me with a DARK ANGRY LOOK IN HIS EYES...."Sean, if you dont pay your tithes you will split hell wide open". This man, that was very healthy and strong soon after developed cancer and I was standing at his graveside in less than 2 years later.

What do you think the Holy Ghost told me standing there at that time?...I will let you take a guess.

[UnTraditional]

The Holy Ghost was telling you to repent, and you would not listen. The Holy Ghost was telling you that if you did not repent of your idolatry, you would indeed split Hell wide open. This will probably be my last posting on this matter... probably. But, listen to what I say. Leaders do not hate non-tithers, but try to warn them against their sins. Non-tithers do hate godly leadership when they refuse to tithe, because they are not against men, but God. When you hold something back from what God has commanded, you rob God. Non-tithers rob God.

[Rudy]

Originally Posted by UnTraditional

The Holy Ghost was telling you to repent, and you would not listen. The Holy Ghost was telling you that if you did not repent of your idolatry, you would indeed split Hell wide open. This will probably be my last posting on this matter... probably. But, listen to what I say. Leaders do not hate non-tithers, but try to warn them against their sins. Non-tithers do hate godly leadership when they refuse to tithe, because they are not against men, but God. When you hold something back from what God has commanded, you rob God. Non-tithers rob God.

You have yet to show a command to tithe money. Demonizing shows you are lacking.